What to consider if you want to use a pen name

In David Kudler's opinion, most arguments for using a pen name boil down to two reasons: privacy or market segmentation.

Certainly, there are many situations in which the first is an obvious choice — but if your objections to using a real name fall into the second camp, don’t be too hasty.

Kudler has seen authors juggle multiple pen names, which again can make sense; for instance, some write in diametrically opposed genres (say, one that’s fairly clean and others that are steamier).

However, he sounds a note of caution for those who simply want to have different personas for the sake of organization — you’re looking at a massive time investment in something that isn’t writing.

Read more of his argument against the nom de plume on The Book Designer.